Cusco Peru - Capital of the Inca Empire Read the Spanish version Cusco, Cuzco or Qosqo are some of the names that this ancient Incan capital is known by. It is a study site for archeologists from all over the world who flock to Peru to marvel at Machu Picchu and the rest of the Inca ruins scattered throughout the valley. Cusco was the administrative center of the Spanish Empire's Viceroyalty of Peru. A vast amount of art and colonial architecture remains throughout the city, especially in the Plaza de Armas. Currently, Cusco is the greatest tourist region of the country and receives over a million visitors a year. Cusco, Peru , is the most ancient urban settlement in all of the Americas, officially over 3,000 years old, but pre-ceramic artifacts have been found there that date back 5,000 years. The true history of the first inhabitants of the city has been lost to Incan legends that claim the city to have been founded by the Incas: Manko Qhapaq and Pachakuteq.

Cusco started to gain importance with the Incan society, in the year 1,200 A.C., although as previously mentioned the city existed much before that. Cusco reached its peak at the height of the Inca Empire's expansion, around 1.400 A.C., and its decline began with the arrival of the Spanish in 1533. The Spaniards moved the capital to Lima where the colonial culture flourished. Cusco maintained a relative importance as the administrative center of the Viceroyalty of Peru, as the region was called under the Spanish administration. During this period, Incan nobility maintained certain privileges in the valley of Cusco which allows them to live in relative peace and mix with the arriving Spaniards. We say “relative” because there were some uprisings led by Manko Inka in 1536 that continued until 1572 when the last descendent of the ancient Incan Dynasty, Túpac Amaru I, was executed. During this period, Incan nobility maintained certain privileges in the valley of Cusco which allows them to live in relative peace and mix with the arriving Spaniards.

We say “relative” because there were some uprisings led by Manko Inka in 1536 that continued until 1572 when the last descendent of the ancient Incan Dynasty, Túpac Amaru I, was executed. In 1821, after many rebellions throughout all of Latin America , Peru gained independence and maintained Lima as the country's capital. Cusco, however, was chosen as the “Archaeological Capital of South America” in recognition of its historic importance to not only Peru but the whole continent. In 1983 the city was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . Along the Inca Trail near Cusco is the sacred city of Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain” in the Quechua language), archaeological ruins of incomparable beauty located on the mountain summit. It is believed that the city was a holiday residence of Pachacútec, the first Incan emperor who lived from 1438 to 1470. The city played two functions: one of a palace and one as a religious sanctuary.

Machu Picchu is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new recognized Wonders of the World. Contact us Cuzco: Religious and Political Heart of the Inca Empire By K. Kris Hirst Updated April 08, 2016. Cuzco, Peru (and alternatively spelled Cozco, Cusco, Qusqu or Qosqo) was the political and religious capital of the vast empire of the Incas of South America. "Cuzco" is the most common spelling, and it is the Spanish transliteration of what the natives called their city: at the time of the conquest in the 16th century, the Inca had no written language as we'd recognize it today. But! read about the Inca's string language Quipu Cuzco is located at the northern end of a large and agriculturally rich valley, high in the Andes Mountains of Peru at an elevation of 3,395 meters (11,100 feet) above sea level. It was the center of the Inca Empire and the dynastic seat of all 13 of the Incan rulers .

The marvelous stonework still visible in the modern city today was primarily built when the 9th Inca, Pachacuti [ruled AD 1438-1471, gained the throne. Pachucuti ordered that the entire city be rebuilt: his stonemasons and their successors are credited with inventing the " Inca style of masonry ", for which Cuzco is justly famous. continue reading below our video 4 Tips for Improving Test Performance Cuzco's Role in the Empire Cuzco represented the geographical and spiritual center of the Inca empire. At its heart was the Qoricancha , an elaborate temple complex built with the finest stone masonry and covered in gold. This elaborate complex was at the crossroads for the entire length and breadth of the Inca empire, its geographic location the focal point for the "four quarters", as Inca leaders referred to their empire, as well as a shrine and symbol for the major imperial religion. But Cuzco is filled with many other shrines and temples (called huacas in the Inca language Quechua), each of which held its own special place.

Among the buildings you can see today there is was Q'enko , an astronomical shrine nearby, and the mighty fortress of Sacsaywaman . In fact, the entire city was considered sacred, surrounded by huacas, with sacred items and locations holding critical roles defining the lives of the people who lived along the vast Inca road , and central to the Inca pilgrimage network, the ceque system . Founding of Cuzco Cuzco was founded, according to legend, by Manco Capac, the founder of the Inca civilization. Unlike many ancient capitals, at its founding Cuzco was primarily a governmental and religious capital, with few residential structures. Cuzco remained the Inca capital city from the mid 15th century until it was conquered by the Spanish in 1532. By then, Cuzco had become the largest city in South America, with an estimated population of 100,000 people. The central sector of Inca Cuzco is made up of a large plaza divided into two parts by the Saphy River. Carefully dressed blocks of limestone, granite, porphyry and basalt were used to build Cuzco's palaces, temples and central fortresses.

The stone was inset without cement or mortar, and with a precision that came within fractions of a millimeter. The stonemason technology was eventually spread to many different outposts of the empire, including Machu Picchu . The Coricancha The most important archaeological structure in Cuzco is probably the one called the Coricancha (or Qorikancha), also called Golden Enclosure or the Temple of the Sun. According to legend, the Coricancha was built by the first Inca emperor, but certainly it was expanded in 1438 by Pachacuti, who built also built Machu Picchu. The Spanish called it "Templo del Sol", as they peeling the gold off its walls to be sent back to Spain. In the sixteenth century, the Spanish built a church and convent on its massive foundations. Read more details about the Coricancha The Inca part of Cusco is still visible, in its many plazas and temples as well as massive remnant earth-quake proof walls. For a closer look at Inca architecture, see the Walking Tour of Machu Picchu.

Archaeologists and others associated with the past of Cuzco include Bernabe Cobo, John H. Rowe, Graziano Gasparini, Luise Margolies, R. Tom Zuideman, Susan A. Niles, and John Hyslop. Sources This glossary entry is part of the About.com Guide to the Inca Empire and the Dictionary of Archaeology . Bauer BS. 1998. The Sacred Landscape of the Inca: The Cusco Ceque System. Austin: University of Texas Press. Kuznar LA. 1999. The Inca Empire: Detailing the complexities of core/periphery interactions. In: Kardulias PN, editor. World-Systems Theory in Practice: Leadership, production, and exchange. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. p 224-240. Protzen J-P. 1985. Inca Quarrying and Stonecutting. The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians 44(2):161-182. Pigeon G. 2011. Inca architecture: the function of a building in relation to its form.

La Crosse, WI: University of Wisconsin La Crosse. Cusco - Ancient History Encyclopedia Cusco by Mark Cartwright published on 30 January 2015 Cuzco (also Cusco or Qosqo) was the religious and administrative capital of the Inca Empire which flourished in ancient Peru between c. 1400 and 1534 CE. The Incas controlled territory from Quito to Santiago, making theirs the largest empire ever seen in the Americas and the largest in the world at that time. Cuzco, which had a population of up to 150,000 at its peak, was laid out in the form of a puma and was dominated by fine buildings and palaces, the richest of all being the sacred gold -covered and emerald-studded Coricancha complex which included a temple to the Inca sun god Inti . Cuzco in Mythology In mythology the Inca race was created by the great god Viracocha who caused them to be born from the sun god Inti.

The first eight Incas were thus born at Tiwanaku or, in an alternative version, they emerged from the sacred Pacaritambo cave, and then they migrated down to the Cuzco valley. Led by Manco Capac (or Manko Qhapaq) and Mama Ocllo, the group fulfilled the earlier prophecy whereby they should settle where their golden staff could be easily driven into the ground. Before the Incas could prosper, though, they first had to defeat their local rivals, the Chanca, a feat they achieved with the help of stone giants, the pururaucas. This event did have a basis in reality, as the Incas did indeed defeat the Chanca in 1438 CE. Thus the Inca capital was established. The name Cuzco may derive from either qosqo, meaning 'dried-up lake bed' or cozco, a particular stone marker in the city . Advertisement Geography, Layout & Architecture The geographical location of the site, on an ancient glacier lake bed and at a central point between natural routes leading off to diverse surrounding regions, was advantageous. The basin lies at an altitude of 3,450 metres and is surrounded by mountain peaks.

Crops could be grown in the valley, and the hills provided good pasture. Cuzco is also the meeting point of three rivers - the Huatanay, Tullumayo, and Chunchul - making it especially significant and auspicious in the Inca mind. In typical Inca fashion, where nature was adapted but never abused, the rivers were canalized and diverted to create the space necessary for a large city. Cuzco saw a great period of re-building in the mid-15th century CE during the reign of Pachacuti , known as 'Reverser of the World'. First habitation of settled populations was actually as early as 500 BCE or earlier, and the main pre-Inca settlement was Chanapata. Decorated pottery survives from this period, but there is no evidence of large buildings, artworks, or metal. Similarly, there are no remains from the Tiwanaku period at the Cuzco site itself. Cuzco really began to take shape from around 1200 CE but only took on the grandeur of a capital during the reign of Inca Roca in the 14th century CE.

From that point on each Inca ruler built his own palace, a great walled residential complex. In addition, from 1400 CE the Incas embarked on ambitious campaigns to conquer neighbouring territory, eventually building a huge empire with Cuzco as the administrative and religious capital. The city saw a great period of re-building and expansion in the mid-15th century CE during the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui , known as 'Reverser of the World'. The swamp area in the north was drained, and the heart of the city moved there. Large ceremonial plazas were laid out, the Sacsayhuaman (or Saqsawaman) fortress, which protected the north of the city, was built, and the sacred Coricancha complex was rebuilt to more appropriately reflect the wealth and power of the Inca Empire. Other building works over time, which increased the spread of Cuzco to some 40 hectares, seem to have been less deliberately planned, resulting in an irregular shaped urban area. Remove Ads Advertisement The whole capital was built around four principal highways which led to the four quarters of the empire.

The city was also laid out in the form of a puma (although some scholars dispute this and take the description metaphorically) with the imperial metropolis of Pumachupan forming the tail, the main plaza representing the body, and the temple complex of Sacsayhuaman forming the head. The entire city was also divided into two distinct parts called the hanan and hurin; the former, in the north, was higher in elevation and more prestigious than its lower, southern, counterpart. Five noble families occupied each sector. The centre was dominated by the double plazas of Haucaypata ('Terrace of Repose') and Cusipata ('Fortunate Terrace') which, covered in imported sand, hosted religious and state ceremonies. These would be presided over by the Inca king, seated on his carved stone throne on a raised platform, the usnu, which also had a pillar for taking sightings of celestial bodies. Here there was also a giant stone basin covered in gold into which were poured libations of chicha beer . Dominating the plaza was the Sunturwasi, a spire which was the tallest structure in Cuzco.

Incorporating kanchas (small groups of buildings organised around a courtyard all within a high-walled enclosure), vast plazas, parklands, sacred agricultural fields, shrines, fountains, and canals, yet with the narrow streets of a culture without wheeled vehicles, the city was largely reserved for priests, nobility, and administrators, while the farming and artisan communities were spread out beyond Cuzco's walls where there were also hundreds of qollqa storehouses which had a huge storage capacity. The city proper had a population of around 40,000 with another 200,000 in the surrounding area at the time of the Spanish conquest . Cuzco was also an important component in the propaganda of Inca rule. It was encouraged to be venerated by Inca subjects as a sacred site. This policy also entailed tributes both in real value objects, such as gold and artworks, but also in people, either rulers and/or their family members kept as hostages, forcibly relocated artists and skilled craftsmen and women, and the provision of sacrificial victims.

In addition, radiating out from Cuzco were 41 sacred sight lines (ceques) and well-paved roads which divided both space and time and reminded that Cuzco was the centre of the world. Finally, small models of Cuzco have been discovered across the empire which must have spread the news of the capital's great size and wealth. Cusco Cusco +51 959 507 001 Cusco Cusco was the capital city of the Inca people. Meaning navel of the world, Cusco was the political, economic and cultural center of the Americas. With an empire stretching from as far as South as Argentina and up to Colombia in the North the Inca people were by far the greatest civilisation to appear in South America and they built a capital to live up to their name. Cusco is the home to some of the finest Inca architecture ever built; even today following the destruction of the city during the Spanish conquest people are amazed by the beauty and the engineering acumen that went in to the construction of the city.

Wherever you walk in Cusco you come across reminders of Cusco's past, from the remains of the Inca palaces that are now home to museums and restaurants to the engraved and cut rocks that dot the area, it is impossible to not be impressed by the legacy the Inca left behind. Cusco's history is not just Inca history though; for 500 years the Spanish have also left their mark on the city and today you can see an interesting and eclectic mix of both Inca and Colonial architecture and culture sat side by side. The most notable example of the blending of the cultures is the Monastery of Saint Dominic (Santo Domingo). This was originally the site of the Inca temple of the Sun and a large part of the foundations and lower walls of the temple still remain intact with the upper half of the building being Colonial. Population: Aprox. 500,000 (2016). Average altitude: 3,350 meters (10,000 feet). Distances: 1 hour fly to Lima (20 hours by bus). The Cathedral Cusco's Cathedral is quite a sight to behold.

Built in the 1550's on the foundations of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha it took over a century before it was completed. The Cathedral includes many interesting features from it's impressive main altar bedecked in gold to the variety of paintings found there. The paintings are of particular interest because they demonstrate the rebellion still formenting just below the surface, the most obvious example is a painting of the Last Supper where Jesus can be seen eating a guinea pig (a traditional Incan delicacy). Santo Domingo Monastery / Qoricancha Qoricancha (The Golden Quarter) is one of Cusco's most interesting sites. Combining a Dominican monastery and the remains of the old Incan Temple of the Sun it is a fascinating place to look around. It is said that when the Spanish first arrived to Cusco Qoricancha was the first thing they saw; completely covered in gold it stood out above all else. Unfortunately the Spanish didn't leave anything intact and all the gold was stripped down and melted to be sent to Europe. The most well known artifact from the Temple of The Sun is the great disc of the sun.

The last known record of the disc was it being gambled in a card game but beyond that no record exists. Many people believe the disc was smuggled away by the Inca priests and is still being kept safe somewhere in Peru. Sacsayhuaman Sacsayhuaman is by far one of the most impressive works of the Incas. Constructed from vast blocks of stone some of which weigh well over 100 tonnes each it must have been one of the crowning glories of the Inca empire. The site unfortunately has not remained intact; during the first Inca rebellion led by Manco Capac Sacsayhuaman was occupied by the Incas and used to dominate the area around Cusco. Once the rebellion was put down and Manco Capac driven far out in to the jungle the Spanish tore the site down so that it could never be used as a fortress again. Despite the damage inflicted the site still manages to impress and is one of the most popular destinations in the city for locals and tourists alike. Qenko Close by to Sacsayhuaman is the Inca site of Qenko meaning the labyrinth. The exact purpose of the site is unknown although it is believed it was used for ceremonial purposes.

It's name comes from a zig-zagging channel cut through the rock that was used for offerings such as chicha (corn beer). Some people believe that animal sacrifices could have been carried out here and the channel was for blood but their is no evidence to support this. Puca Pucara Meaning the red fortress Puca Pucara was a checkpoint on the main road leading to the jungle. The structure was built in the rustic style of the Incas that they reserved for the more common and practical buildings that dotted their empire. The only buildings that were built in the well-known, fine style of the Incas were those for ceremonial purposes. Tambomachay Tambomachay was a water temple built around a natural spring. Water was regarded as sacred by the Incas and they put great effort in to chanelling water to where it was most needed. Tambomachay was obviously a site of importance to the Inca as they built it using the fine stonework which was exclusive for their ceremonial sites. The stream that leaves Tambomachay is also home to a variety of other Inca sites which also gives evidence to its importance. Peru. Explore By Yourself!

- Cusco – the capital of the Inca Empire Peru. Explore By Yourself! Interesting Facts Cusco – the capital of the Incan Empire Cusco (Cuzco, Qusqu, Qosqo) is a city with a rich history. It was the capital of the great Incan Empire for 200 years, but excavations indicate that it was inhabited as much as 3000 years ago. The Inca referred to their empire as Tawantinsuyu, (in Quechua Tawantin Suyu, Tawantinsuyu means "four parts together”) The empire was divided into four suyus, whose corners met at the capital, Cusco (Qosqo). They did not know other countries, did not travel beyond the seas; their land was the entire world and Cusco was the centre of this world. This explains one of the versions of the word “Cusco”. It can be translated as the “Centre of the World; the Navel of the Earth” from Quechua. Another version of translation of the name is “The Place of Ashes”, i.e. the place of ritual sacrifice.

All main temples of Incas were in Cusco and all significant religious ceremonies were also held here. How did the Spanish conquistadors see Cuzco upon arrival to this country in 1533? It was a prosperous city with magnificent temples, squares, and wealthy houses of the royal family, with their attendants and other nobles. Saphi River crossed through the central square and divided the city into two sectors: upper (Hanan) and lower (Urin). Many believe that the city was planned as an effigy in the shape of a puma, a sacred animal. The head of the puma was the Saqsaywaman sector, located above all other parts of the city. After arrival to Cusco the Spanish invaders changed the entire image of the city. The Spanish destroyed many Incan buildings, temples, and palaces. They used the remaining walls as the foundation for the construction of a new city. The Spanish churches were built using the stones from demolished Incan buildings. The incredible colonial constructions built upon Inca foundations, have created a unique mestizo style of architecture, and this influence can be seen throughout the city’s culture and art.

History of the city There are many legends about the origin of Cusco. One of them tells how, Manco Capac and his sister and wife Mama Ocllo emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca with the mission to look for the promised land where the gold staff given to him by his father the Sun, would sink in the ground as a sign of fertility. In another version of this legend the Incan ancestors – four siblings and their sister-consorts emerged from the cave in one of the islands of Titicaca Lake. One of them was Manco Capac who founded the city of Cusco and laid the foundation of the Incan Empire. Cusco is the place of foundation and end of the great Tawantinsuyu Empire. In 1572 the last Inca stronghold was conquered, and the last ruler, Tupac Amaru, Manco's son, was captured and executed. This was the fall of the Inca Empire. There are many interesting museums in Cusco.

Here are some of them: Incan Museum (Museo Inca) The Museo Inka (Incan Museum), also known as the Archaeological Museum of Cusco, contains artifacts that trace Peruvian history from pre-Inca civilizations and Inca culture to the impact of the Conquest and colonial times on these native cultures. The mansion was built on top of an Inca palace at the beginning of the 17th century and was once the palace of Admiral Francisco Aldrete Maldonado. Museum is open every day Address: 103 Cuesta del Almirante, Cusco, Peru Koricancha (Qoricancha) Temple The extraordinarily crafted Temple of the Sun at Koricancha (Koricancha means "courtyard of gold" in Quechua) was the most sumptuous temple in the Incan Empire. Dedicated to worship of the sun, the most important deity in the Inca's naturalistic pantheon, the temple complex was a glittering palace. In addition to hundreds of gold panels lining its walls, there were life-size gold figures, solid-gold altars, and a huge golden sun disc.

The mummies of the Incan nobles were kept here and used during the religious ceremonies. After the Spaniards looted the temple and emptied it of gold, the exquisite polished stone walls were used as the foundations of the Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo, but some parts of the original temple still remain. The museum is open every day. Address: Plaza Intipampa (between Av.El Sol and Calle Santo Domingo), Cusco, Peru. Cusco Coca Museum (Museo de la Coca) This small, but informative museum tells a fascinating account of the now infamous coca leaf. Your journey begins with the pre-Inca cultures to whom the leaf was considered sacred. Medicinal values and benefits are well explained before moving through to the modern day and the dramatic impact of the cocaine industry. Address: Calle Suytuccatu 705, San Blas, Cusco, Peru. Cusco Planetarium The Cusco Planetarium is located in the city of Cusco 3350 meters above sea level, and brings the city nearer to the sky and the Gods. Stars played a significant role in the development of all great civilizations and the Incan Empire was one of them.

'Planetarium' is a company that offers night outings to the place where you can observe the stars. They will tell you about Incan astronomy, the constellations that were most important to them, and how the movement of stars regulated the life of the Incas. Excursions are organized every day, but require a prior booking. Website of the Planetarium: The chocolate world in Cusco (Choco Museo) Peru is a producer and exporter of the cacao beans. In 2010 Peru won a prestigious award from the Salon du Chocolat in Paris for the most aromatic cacao beans. In chocolate museum in Cusco you will learn about the process of making chocolate and even try the chocolate bars or hot chocolate. The museum organizes workshops where people can learn how to make their own chocolate and offers tours to cacao plantations. Website of the museum: Sacsayhuaman (Saqsaywaman) Sacsayhuaman is located on a steep hill high above Cusco and was one of the districts of the city during the Incas time.

Some writers also believe the complex was built specifically to represent the head of a puma, the effigy shape which Sacsayhuaman together with Cusco forms when seen from above. There are different versions about the destination of this district. For many years it was considered the fortress. However modern researches think that this was the residential area for wealthy nobles and had rich houses, temples and squares for religious ceremonies. Although the Spanish demolished the buildings and used the stones for construction of churches, the ruins of the district are still impressive! The walls with perfectly fit stones are about 6 meters tall. The estimated volume of stone is over 6,000 cubic meters. Estimates for the weight of the largest limestone block vary from 128 tons to almost 200 tons! It is assumed that about 20,000 people were working on the construction of the complex. Today, on 24 June, Peruvians celebrate Inti Raymi, the annual Inca festival of the winter solstice and New Year, near Sacsayhuaman.

Statue of Christ – White Christ (Cristo Blanco) The statue of Cristo Blanco (White Christ) is located on top of a hill high above Cusco, Peru, near Sacsayhuaman. Cristo Blanco was built by a group of Christian Palestinians that were seeking refuge in Cusco in 1945. It was a symbol of their gratitude toward the city, and was their parting gift when they finally returned to their home country. Kenko (Quenco, Q'inqu) Located 6km from Cusco towards the Sacred Valley, Qenko is a strange Incan temple carved out a huge stone. Q’enko comes from the Quechua language and means “Labyrinth.” This name was given by the Spanish conquistadors due to its underground galleries in a form of maze. Kenko is built in a form of the amphitheatre and could be an altar or a tribune – the exact purpose of the place is not known. Tambomachay Tambomachay in Quechua means place of rest. The name comes from Incan times. This “water resort” for Inca was built in 5-6 km distance from Cusco.

In Incan times, this was a sacred site used for worship of the water deity and had magnificent channels, aquaducts, and waterfalls. The great engineering skills allowed the builders to intervene a fall and divide it into two identical water falls. It has even been proven that the same amount of water falls in each fall in a certain time – if you put a bottle under each fall they will be filled at the same time What is the best time to visit the Andes? Dry season in the Andes is from April to September and this is the best time for traveling. In the wet season (October to March), you can expect showers three to four afternoons a week, but they still organize tours. However, if you are planning to travel to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail, you must remember that this route is closed in February. How to get there There are numerous flights from Lima to Cusco, the flight usually takes about an hour. There are no direct bus routes, the shortest route is via Nazca and takes about 24 hours.

The list of local airlines:: Cusco information, ancient capital of the Incan Empire 4.- History 1.- Overview The Imperial City of Cusco, recognized at an international level as the Navel of the World and named as Cultural Patrimony of Humanity in 1983 by UNESCO, was the center and the most important in the epoch of the Empire of Tawantinsuyo. Incas developed their great civilization on the basis of ancient cultures that had their development in the Valley of Cusco and with the influence of other cultures that got developed in the whole territory of the actual republic of Peru. It was in this enigmatic city that one of the greatest civilizations of history and of humanity was born, its organization, evolution in the technology, traditions and customs and its expanding ambition took them to occupy great part of the South American continent that still surprises historians from all parts of the world. Its architectonic work that symbolizes the glorious and legendary past of the Incan Empire compares to that of the Citadel of Machu Picchu but the questions about this gorgeous archeological center are numerous. Why did they build such astonishing monuments in an impossible place? What was the purpose for which it was built?

These questions will be answered on your next vacation to the Imperial City of Cusco. Today the ancient capital of the Incan Empire is a cosmopolitan city furnished with all the services and commodities that travelers would need and require. Book your Cusco City tour to get a taste of this culturally rich city today! 2.- Geography The City of Cusco is located in the Southeast Andes of the Republic of Peru at 3350 meters above sea level, located in the Valley of the Huatanay River. The weather of the Imperial City of Cusco is a dry and warm one from April through October and rainy season extends from November through March. The rain is light on the first couple of months and becomes more intense in the months of January through February. It is worth to point out that the region of Cusco is a magical site that has everything a region wants, from the presence of the Andes to the Amazon jungles in the reserve of Manu. 3.- Economy Wondering what to do in Cusco ? The economy within the region of Cusco is mainly composed of mining and touristic activities. Ride horses through the city, taste the cultures cuisine and site see!

The city of Cusco is one of the cities with major economic development in the Republic of Peru, the foreign inversion and the presence of the touristic activities makes Cusco, a city of the new world. 4.- History The history of the Valley of Cusco began before the development of the Incan Culture, the presence of the pre-Incan cultures of Chanapata and Marcavalle were denominated. It was marked by an epoch within the intermediate horizon as it was on its late horizon that the presence of the Incan culture marked the beginning of great development in this region. The beginning of the Incan culture was a humble and poor one, it was basically composed by small houses and no more than 200 people. A legend states that two brothers founded this culture, but it was not until Century XIII, with the apparition of the great Incan Emperor Pachacuteq that the Incan culture reached its splendor. The expansion of the Incan Empire started in the city of Cusco and was expanded up to the northern regions of Pasto in the country of Colombia and to the southern parts of the Maule River in the country of Argentina. It also expanded east towards the Amazon jungle ending west near the Pacific Ocean.

The Incan Citadel of Machu Picchu is one of the few remaining ancient cites that the conquerors did not destroyed in the name of God. It is an interesting ancient citadel uninhabited before the arrival of the Spaniards, keeping its many secrets and enigmas that will be discovered on your next trip to Cusco. The city of Cusco was built in the shape of a puma, an animal sacred to the Incas; the city was also surrounded by four rivers that were crystalline. The Incas conquered many territories and cultures because they achieve to compose a language and religion around the Sun being worshipped as the main deity within their conquests. Incan Emperor Pachacuteq imposed this religion of the Sun and built a great web of roads that got to unify the whole empire. This web of trails is known as the Qapac Ñan which extends from north to south and west to east within the Incan Empire. Ways to Save Inca Empire for Kids: Cuzco City Cuzco was the capital and birthplace of the Inca Empire. The emperor, or Sapa Inca, lived in a palace in Cuzco. His top leaders and closest advisors also lived there.

Where is Cuzco located? Cuzco is located in the Andes Mountains of what is today southern Peru . It sits high in the mountains at an elevation of 11,100 feet (3,399 meters) above sea level. When was Cuzco founded? Cuzco was founded by Manco Capac around 1200 AD. He established the Kingdom of Cuzco as a city-state that ruled the surrounding lands. Center of the Inca Empire In 1438 Pachacuti became the Sapa Inca of the Inca people. He greatly expanded the lands that Cuzco controlled. Soon Cuzco was the center of the vast Inca Empire. Who lived in the city of Cuzco? The city of Cuzco was a place for nobles to live during the Inca Empire. Commoners did not live in the city. The only exceptions were the servants of the nobles as well as artisans and builders who were working on buildings or other items for the nobles. Many of the high ranking nobles were required to live in Cuzco.

Even the governors of the four major regions of the empire were required to have a home in Cuzco and to live one fourth of the year in the city. The most important person that lived in Cuzco was the emperor, or Sapa Inca. He lived in a huge palace with his family and queen, the coya. The Buildings of Cuzco Emperor's Palace - Perhaps the most important building in Cuzco was the emperor's palace. There were actually a number of palaces in Cuzco because each new emperor built his own palace. The palace of the previous emperor was occupied by his mummy. The Inca believed that the spirit of the old emperor inhabited the mummy and they often went to consult the mummies of previous emperors. Coricancha - The most important temple in Cuzco was the temple of the Sun god Inti. It was called the Coricancha which means "Golden Temple". During the time of the Inca Empire the walls and floors of the temple were covered in sheets of gold. Sacsayhuaman - Located on a steep hill on the outskirts of the city was the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. This fortress was guarded with a series of huge stone walls.

There are individual stones in the walls so big they are estimated to weigh nearly 200 tons! Walls of the Sacsayhuaman ruin at Cusco by Bcasterline Interesting Facts about the Inca city of Cuzco A common greeting used in the city was "Ama Sua, Ama Quella, Ama Lulla" which meant "Don't lie, don't steal, don't be lazy". This was also the cornerstone of the Inca law. The Killke people lived in the area before the Inca and may have built some of the structures that the Inca used. The city of Cuzco is still a large city today with a population of around 350,000. Many of the stones in the walls of Sacsayhuaman fit so closely together that you cannot even slide a piece of paper between them. The city of Cuzco is often spelled with an "s" as in Cusco. The Constitution of Peru officially designates the modern city of Cuzco as the Historical Capital of Peru. Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro said of Cuzco "it is so beautiful and has such fine buildings that it would be remarkable even in Spain".

Activities Take a ten question quiz about this page. Aztecs Cuzco, Peru: The Inca Capital City Updated December 01, 2016. About Cuzco - the Inca capital city: The visitor to Cuzco, alternately spelled Cusco, Qosqo or Qozqo, can’t help but be awed and impressed by a city that was the capital of the Inca Empire. Today’s Cuzco combines the ancient city, the colonial additions and the modern buildings and amenities in a splendid reflection of culture and tradition-and reminds us that the sophisticated Incan civilization was not erased by the colonial invaders. Or tourists. Qosqo, meaning navel or bellybutton in Quechua, is located in a fertile valley that supported civilization before the Incas, but it is more closely associated with the organized society in which everyone had a role to play, and a function to perform.

Ama Sua, Ama Quella, Ama Lulla was the greeting to visitors to the city, and exhorted them “Don’t lie, don’t steal, don’t be lazy.” The results of their artisanry and building techniques are seen everywhere, and have outlasted numerous earthquakes. continue reading below our video America's Best Foodie Cities Inca builders laid out the city in the form of a puma, with the fortress of Sacsayhuaman as the head, the plaza of Huacaypata as the belly, or navel, and the converging Huatanay and Tullumayo rivers as the tail. The ancient plaza was the core of the suyos, the Four Regions of the Inca Empire reaching from Quito, Ecuador to northern Chile. The plaza was the site of official and ceremonial buildings and residences of ruling officials and was the locus for the famous road network where swift runners carried communications to all parts of the empire. Surrounding the city were areas for agricultural, artisan and industrial production. When the Spanish arrived, they destroyed many of the structures, and what they couldn't raze, they used as foundations for many of their churches and buildings.

Getting and Staying at the Inca Capital City: Getting to Cuzco today is easier than for the Incas or the colonial forces under Francisco Pizarro, who imposed the colonial city on top of the existing city beginning in March of 1534 after plundering and looting the city. There are domestic and international flights, public transportation, bus service to and from multiple locations, and of course, the train to Machu Picchu. Cuzco enjoys a temperate climate, with the rainy season from November to March and the dry season from April to October. Check today's weather . Things to Do and See: As the Inca capital city, Cuzco is both colonial and modern. It entices visitors to stroll and discover the juztaposition of Inca architecture, the fabled wall of many angles, colonial red roofs, whitewashed walls and blue doors and windows. Take the time to see the many churches and explore the museums. Marvel at the masonry artistry described in Geometry Step by Step from the Land of the Incas .

From the Plaza de Armas, a walking tour takes you to the Cathedral, San Blas church, the Art School and Q'oricancha, the site of the Sun Temple. Major atttractions of Cuzco and its outer region are: Qorikancha - the famous sun temple of Qosqo. When it is illuminated at night, we can get an idea of what it must have looked like when it was covered in gold. La Companía Church - Cusco's masterpiece on what was once Inca Huayna Capac's palace The cathedral was built over the ruins of the palace of the Inca Viracocha. Saqsaywaman or Sacsayhuaman – these photos tell the story. Q'enqo – This labyrinth with a temple dedicated to Mother Earth is a unique center of worship and for ceremonies. Also called Kenko . Puca Pukara – the Fortress Watchtower on a strategic point along the road to the Antisuyo, or Amazonian region of the empire. it also served as a checkpoint on the Inca road and was a military and administrative center.

Outside Cuzco: This article about Cuzco - The Inca capital city was updated November 30, 2016 by Ayngelina Brogan. Tambomachay – the Inca Baths believed to be an important center for the worship of water. The architecture and design display the Inca’s building talents and knowledge of hydraulics. photo Laqo, Lanlakuyoq And Kusilluchayoq – thought to be observatories or ceremonial sites, these sites have felines, serpents and birds carved into the rock. Machu Picchu – either by train to Aguas Calientes for a bus ride up the mountain, or to the drop off point at the beginning of the Inca Trail to the “Lost City.” Additional sights and excursions: Pickillacta – the City of Fleas, an important city of the Wari or Huari civilization. See Tipón, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas Chincheros – the Sunday market day is set in the middle of a town where Incan design and architecture are still maintained.

Valle Sagrado - the Urubamba River Valley flowing through a narrow, winding valley from east of Pisac to Ollantaytambo at the western end of the valley. Maras – these salt flats on the side of a mountain were a commercial enterprise even before the Incas. photo . Rafting on the Vilcamayu river from Huambutyio or Pachar Cuzco | Civilization Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Cusco Cuzco (or Cusco) is the Incan capital in the Civilization games. In the 13th century it was the capital of the Kingdom of Cuzco, but it later became the capital of the Incan Empire and retained this status until its conquest by the Spanish in the 16th century. Contents Cuzco, Capital City - The Inca Empire for Kids Cuzco, Capital City FAQ, About Us Cuzco was the capital city. It was tucked high in the Andes Mountains of South America. Like all Inca cities, it was beautiful. There were temples and houses and government buildings and gardens and a huge central square for festivals and gatherings. The streets were paved. The nobles enjoyed it.

The commoners only entered the city plaza on festival days. The Temple of the Sun, the famous Inca building, was designed with six chapels around a courtyard. The stone of the buildings were covered with sheets of gold. It must have been quite a site. A new palace was built each time a new Sapa Inca (the emperor) came to power. That's because the old palace was still in use. The Incas mummified their emperors and left them inside their palace. Live servants and all of his family continued to live in the palace to wait on them. (Even though they were dead.)

Question: Cusco was the capital city of what civilisation?
Answer: INCA